What is an Inter Country Committee?

Intercountry Committees An intercountry committee (ICC) promotes contact between districts and clubs in two or more countries and increases fellowship and intercultural understanding among the people of various nations. Rotarians are encouraged to create new intercountry committees to foster stronger ties between Rotarians, clubs, and districts from different countries and establish international networks. Intercountry committees should be promoted at all Rotary meetings. The mission of an intercountry committee is to Build a force that will encourage Rotarians to visit each other’s countries and homes Strengthen friendships and projects by encouraging clubs and districts to connect with those in other countries Contribute to world peace Recommended ICC activities include: Assisting in the development of new Rotary clubs Developing a sister- or twin-club network between participating countries Conducting Rotary Friendship Exchanges between participating countries Initiating or carrying out World Community Service projects Initiating or carrying out vocational service projects Although only districts may form and join intercountry committees, individual Rotarians, their spouses, Rotaractors, and Rotary clubs may participate in their activities. Intercountry committees function under the direction and with the close cooperation of the respective governors. Participating districts should appoint a Rotarian to serve as the district liaison to the national section chair. Each intercountry committee is organized and operated as an independent activity of individual districts and is not a part of the program of RI. However, intercountry committees undertaking service activities, such as a World Community Service project, that extend more than one year should comply with RI’s policy for multidistrict service activities. Clubs and districts are encouraged to use established ICC relationships to enhance their participation in Rotary Foundation programs, especially in the development of Matching Grants. (RCP 37.030.)

Despite the name, Inter Country Committees are not another layer of bureaucracy! They are a resource for Rotarians wanting to make contact with members in other countries. Their mission is to encourage Rotarians to visit each other's countries, and to encourage clubs and districts to participate in international projects.

Chairman Michael Siggs has prepared a leaflet on ICC's in MS Word format, which you can download by clicking here.